Characters are from Train Whistles and Wedding Bells, a Linked Universe AU by my awesome friend @socialc1imb!
AO3
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“Spirit, why don’t you take a break? You’ve been up front all day.”
The conductor startled at the voice, which was nearly yelling to be heard over the train. He dumped a final shovelful of coal on the fire, then turned to see who had entered the cabin.
It was Wind, who was doing a poor job of hiding his concern. “Come on, I know you’re excited to be back home but you haven’t eaten all day.”
“’Cause I’m not hungry. Go enjoy the view,” Spirit said, wiping sweat from his brow. It had been too long since he had worked with his train; he was hot and tired after only an hour or so.
From the corner of the car, Wild waved to get Spirit’s attention. ‘I think I’ve learned the metaphorical and literal ropes by now,’ he signed. ‘Go get some food.’
Spirit pointed an accusatory finger at Wild. “I know you just want to abuse one rope in particular.”
Wild only gave him a gremlin-like grin, and Spirit sighed and followed Wind out of the car. Behind them, Wild leapt to the control panel and made the train’s whistle sound long and loud.
“He’ll be fine. You will be too, as soon as we find some food for you,” Wind assured him, pulling him through car after car until they found an empty one. Wind instructed Spirit to sit on the nearest bench, then left to track down Wild’s food stash.
Spirit sat without hesitation, wondering why he was so exhausted. He pulled off his thick gloves and wiped clammy hands on his overalls. The passenger car was cool, but Spirit’s head pounded from the residual heat of the locomotive. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to close his eyes until Wind came back…
“Ha, I knew it! You’re too tired to even think about driving a train right now.”
For the second time that day, Spirit jumped when he heard Wind’s self-satisfied voice. He struggled to open his eyes, blinking blearily at the sailor.
“You should still eat something, though. I found plenty of food a few cars down.” Wind dumped a pile beside Spirit, who turned his head away.
“I said I’m not hungry.” The smell of food reached Spirit, and he choked back a gag. Even the thought of food was suddenly making him nauseous.
“Hey… are you alright? You’re acting really weird.” Wind pressed his hand to Spirit’s forehead, only keeping it in place for a moment before recoiling with a hiss. “You’re burning up!”
“Yeah, I’m just hot from the fire. Don’t worry about it,” Spirit mumbled.
“No, you’re really hot. I think you have a fever,” Wind said.
Spirit hummed. “That would explain it.”
Then, despite Wind’s surprised and frantic attempts to prevent it, Spirit’s consciousness slipped away.
He wasn’t aware of much after that. Somebody laid him across the bench and wiped sweat and soot away with a damp cloth. A blanket was tucked around him, kicked off, and replaced when he immediately started to shiver again. Worried voices, deeper than Wind’s, spoke above him but he couldn’t make out any of their words.
Spirit drifted in and out of a fitful sleep, surrounded by concerned brothers and the sound of his train taking them to whatever destination he would find himself at when his fever broke.
